Common Names: Ash-leaf maple, black ash, stinking ash, sugar ash, three-leaved maple, Manitoba maple
Short Description: Box elder is a close-grained crafty wood with pink or red staining on its structure. It is a hardwood but shares characteristics with softwood, such as brittleness and high-burning capability.
Country of Origin: United States, Canada
Color: Pale white sapwood and yellow or brown heartwood with red stains
Janka Scale Hardness: 720 lbf (3200 N)
Dried Average Weight: 30.2 lbs/ft3 (485 kg/m3)
Common Uses: For use in boxes, pulps, toys, storage projects, arts, crafts, carvings, and light-duty furniture
What Is Box Elder Wood?
Box elder is a hardy, fast-growing, and almost invasive tree of the Sapindaceae or soapberry family. It belongs to the same family as and is technically considered a maple. But from among the species, it is softer, lighter, and a weaker wood.
Box elder slabs have distinct red staining on their surface. It was believed to be spalting caused by the fungus Fusarium solani that often colonizes them. But, present theories suggest that wounded box elder produces the stain as a defense from non-specific wounding.
The stain fades over time but can be preserved and enhanced through flaming.
How Dense Is Box Elder Wood?
Box elder is classified as a low-density hardwood. Its wood is only about 2.7 pounds per board foot, making it the lightest type among the maples. Low-density wood means that box elder is quite brashy, weak, and brittle.
The best thing about box elder is its workability, especially in making creative workpieces. The wood is soft and has an easy-gluing property. It is easy to handcraft box elder, yet tedious when using power tools. Box elder has a high chance of burning with tools if it is dull or the force applied to it is inconsistent.
Where Does Box Elder Tree Grow?
Box elder is indigenous to the United States, south-central Canada, and Guatemala. It was introduced to Europe and naturalized in many parts of the world, often found in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and some parts of Asia.
The tree is resilient and can endure extreme climates and drought. They can grow anywhere but proliferate better in moist soil such as on river banks, ravines, or stream edges.
How to Distinguish Real Box Elder Wood
Box elder has little economic value. But when they grow to commercial size, they are harvested for retail and sold as box elder live edge. It is easily identifiable by its red stain and weight, which is technically lighter than maples.
Is Box Elder a Good Option for Outdoor Furniture?
Box elder is brittle, non-durable, and perishable. Its heartwood is prone to rotting and insect attacks. Thus, it is not ideal to leave any elder-made furniture outside. This wood is also not suitable for any outdoor projects.
How to Care For Live Edge Box Elder Slabs
Box elders deteriorate over time and could encourage insect infestation. You don’t need to put anything on it, but always keep the wood dry.
FAQs
Will box elder retain its red streaks?
Not always. The staining will fade eventually, especially if the wood is exposed to direct sunlight.
Can I make a chair out of the box elder?
Box elder live edge has a poor strength-to-weight ratio; therefore, it is not the ideal lumber for heavy-duty furniture that takes on weight. It is, however, useful for whittling into art sculpture, bowls, ornamental accessories, picture frames, or made into crates and boxes.
Do box elders stink?
Box elder exudes an unpleasant aroma when wet. The smell subsides when the wood is dry.
Where to Buy Box Elder
Box elder live edge slab options are available in many local sawmills or specialty wood carving stores. For quality and authentic box elder, you can check us out on our website, Alderfer Lumber Company Inc. We offer varied lumber inventory with good stability and the right conditions. Our box elder lumber is free from insect infestation and preserved in its natural spalting.
Call us today with any questions, and we can provide you with various exotic and specialty wood for your lumber needs.
